By Nicola Ogilvie, Just Sew Geneva
This is not a question I have had to answer for myself as I always make my own curtains. Depending on how many curtains you are making and the size of the window or windows it can be a relatively easy and satisfying project or a big, slightly daunting, but even more satisfying project!
If you would like to learn how to make curtains for yourself, sign up for my next workshop series “Sewing for the home”. We will be making curtains, cushions and Roman blinds. For those with little experience we will start with simple cushions to update your sewing skills, then move on to piped cushions, curtains and Roman Blinds. The series is being held in my sewing room in Commugny, every Wednesday morning for 5 weeks starting 28th October and I have 1 spot left. You may come for the whole series or just for the morning that you are interested in. Take a look at my website: www.justsewgeneva.weebly.com.
However, if you have neither the time nor the inclination to make your own, I have checked out a few places in the area to see what they offer. I started my research with a Google search “rideaux Genève”. I was surprised how many options I found and spent last week touring around having a look at the shops and chatting with the owners. Some keep restrictive hours and some require appointments but the following shops I was able to visit.
Ferney Voltaire
BWZ Design
17 Rue de Versoix
www.bwzdesign.com
+33 450 42 32 21
After stumbling through my introduction in French I was very pleased to find that Lordès Sbizzera of BWZ designs spoke excellent English and she showed me the lovely range of Fabrics she had in stock. She has a large range of fabrics, German, French, English, Italian, and Denmark among others. I was delighted to see books from Designers Guild, a design group I am familiar with, being from England, and a personal favourite. BWZ can offer the full range of curtain headings, the curtains may be lined, unlined, blackout, as well as voiles. Lourdès said that a basic curtain for a standard sized window would start at about 120 Euros although of course it is always down to your choice of fabric; be aware, fabric prices for the most beautiful fabric can be sky high. One advantage they can offer is, if you are bringing your curtains into Switzerland, there is the possibility of receiving a refund for the French TVA of 20% and, dependent on the price paid, the Swiss TVA of 7%. The shop will help you with this. BWZ also sells a wonderful range of upholstered furniture; I have bought a chair from there and was very pleased with the service we received.
BWZ Design, Ferney Voltaire
Nyon
Courtepointière
Route de Boiron, 3
022 361 77 72
In Nyon, I met the lovely Courtepointière Atelier of Christine Yerly. She has had the Atelier for 30 years so brings a wealth of experience. Christine is French-speaking, but very patient and found an English-speaking friend to help when I stumbled over my French. She also had a wonderful range of fabric, again French, Italian, English, German, mostly on order but some in the shop. It was, with difficulty, that I left the shop without buying a wonderful birdcage design, I had no plan of what to do with it, I just loved it. Christine will also make to your specifications, using header tapes of your choice. A header tape is the stiff part at the top of the curtain that gives the pleats, pencil pleats or ruffles or box pleats amongst others, Christine can also arrange for reupholstery to be done. I don’t think Christine has a website but don’t be put off; if you are in the area looking for curtains drop into the shop and you will be greeted warmly.
Courtepointière, Nyon
YNouvelles
Route de St–Cergue, 39
022361 81 60 or 079 650 39 01
www.ynouvelles.ch
The second shop in Nyon, I have looked in before but it was unfortunately closed when I went this time. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday 1.30pm to 5.00pm. From my previous recollection it also had a huge range including Sandersons. They also have a website, www.ynouvelles.ch.
Geneva
Lachenal
Rue de la Servette, 25
www.lachenal.ch
In Geneva I went to Lachenal, Rue de la Servette, 25, just behind Cornavin. They had some very unusual fabrics in the window, a beaded velvet and a heavy fabric with a large pictorial print, most unusual. The shop has flooring, carpeting, and wall coverings, but no sign of curtains. I asked the assistant and was taken upstairs to an Aladdin’s cave of fabric samples, mostly from Europe. I was introduced to Michel Gros who was charming and spoke very good English, and he explained that if you would like curtains you should first visit the shop, and by appointment is better. There you discuss your project and get to look and feel the fabrics. If you decide you would like to go ahead with an order they will then come to your house and prepare a quote. On agreement of the quote they order the fabric and make it up. They can make entirely to your requirements, all headings, curtain fittings, lining, blackout lining, interlining and so forth. Their services extend from simple voiles to digital printing designs for your walls, bedspreads, quilts, upholstery as well as the flooring and walls. Their website, www.lachenal.ch, showcases some of the wonderful work they have done.
Lachenal, Geneva
Etoy
Migros
Route Suisse 26
058 573 70 70
Interio
Route Suisse 24
058 576 30 30
www.interio.ch/fr/habitat/rideaux.catp
Heytens
Centre De L’Habitat 6
Grosses Terres
021 808 87 37
www.heytens.ch
Emery
Route Suisse,
10 1163
www.emeryetfils-antiquites-decoration.com
My Final destination was Etoy. There you will find Migros and Interio, both who offer a curtain service. The other superstore there is Heytens, a whole shop devoted to curtains with a few lamps and accessories as well. Their range of fabric is mostly modern. However, when I spoke to Claire at the front desk, she said they have many more fabrics than is shown in the shop. At Haytens you book an appointment, they will come to your house with fabric samples and measure up. This costs 150chf, which is fully refundable if you make an order over 300chf.
The other shop in Etoy is Emery. I am sure that anyone who has been to Etoy has seen the shop with the statues and other interesting pieces outside, I had never been inside before. It is a delight; some lovely antique furniture is in the large showroom and behind it a room full of curtain fabric, again all the names I recognize from all over Europe and some from further afield, and the option of all types of headings, lining options and curtain runners or poles. The gentleman that helped me was very kind and showed me some of his wonderful fabric.
Emery, Etoy
This is only a small sample from the area. There is a shop in Morges that I just didn’t get the chance to get to, and a few in Lausanne. I went to one in Carouge, an atelier inside a building right on the river, but unfortunately she was closed when I visited. I was disappointed not to find any independent curtain makers, so if you know of any or have other recommendations please get in touch through the contact page on my website, www.justsewgeneva.weebly.com, and I can follow this up with a second selection.
Author's bio
Nicola Ogilvie has been sewing as long as she can remember, and loves new challenges. From a very early age, she has attempted most things you can make on a sewing machine, from creating her own wedding dress and recovering a chair to quilting and embroidery. In her early career, she was employed by Courtaulds, working in a factory making underwear for Marks & Spencer!
Through her sewing business, Just Sew, Nicola now shares her passion with a new generation. She runs workshops, mostly for children, and teaches in the after-school program of a local international school. She loves the fact that even the youngest get a great sense of satisfaction from their completed projects. After a number of requests, she will soon be offering courses aimed at adults.
Although sewing is clearly Nicola’s thing, she admires all craftsmen and women, and loves to see how people use their creativity.
